Burke Branding iron

Burke branding iron with wooden handle.

PJ Burke

Burke brand PB

PJ Burke

PJ Burke showing his great grandfather's branding iron with the letters PB for Patrick Burke.

PJ Burke

Claregalway, Co. Galway, Ireland

This interesting agricultural implement comprises of a well preserved branding iron with a short wooden handle. It was sent to us by PJ Burke of Ballymoneen, Claregalway, Co. Galway. It is PJ’s great grandfathers branding iron named Patrick Burke. The use of the P to denote Patrick was necessary to distinguish his sheep from other Burke neighbours. Burke is a popular surname in that part of Co. Galway. It was used to brand sheep with blue paint. It was made out of parts of a horse drawn finger bar mower. It is approximately 150 years old.

Information provided by PJ Burke.